Passage: Romans 6:1-14 ESV
“What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.”
Exegesis and Key Themes
1. The Question of Continuing in Sin (Romans 6:1-2)
Paul begins by addressing whether grace permits believers to continue sinning. His emphatic answer, “By no means!” shows that grace transforms, not indulges, a sinful lifestyle.
Cross-reference: Titus 2:11-12, which teaches that God’s grace trains us to live upright lives.
2. Baptism and Union with Christ (Romans 6:3-5)
Baptism signifies believers’ union with Christ in His death and resurrection. This symbolizes the end of the old self and the beginning of a new life in Christ.
Cross-reference: Colossians 2:12, which speaks of being buried and raised with Christ through faith.
3. Freedom from the Power of Sin (Romans 6:6-7)
Paul explains that the believer’s old self was crucified with Christ, breaking sin’s power and freeing them to live righteously.
Cross-reference: Galatians 2:20, describing the believer’s new life through faith in Christ.
4. Alive in Christ Through His Resurrection (Romans 6:8-10)
Believers share in Christ’s resurrection life, living in the assurance of eternal life. Death and sin no longer hold dominion over them.
Cross-reference: 1 Corinthians 15:54-57, which celebrates Christ’s victory over sin and death.
5. Living as Instruments of Righteousness (Romans 6:11-14)
Paul calls believers to offer themselves as instruments of righteousness, no longer allowing sin to rule their lives.
Cross-reference: Romans 12:1, which describes offering our bodies as living sacrifices to God.
Life Application
1. Am I living as someone dead to sin and alive in Christ?
Reflect on how your life demonstrates the reality of being a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
2. Do I embrace the power of Christ’s resurrection in my life?
Reflect on how sharing in Christ’s resurrection empowers you to live victoriously over sin.
3. Am I presenting myself as an instrument of righteousness?
Identify areas where sin may still have influence and surrender these to God for His work of transformation.
4. How does grace shape my attitude toward sin?
Reflect on how God’s grace motivates you to pursue holiness and live obediently.
